[QUICK REFERENCE] CHEAT GUIDES
Bob's Cheat Sheets
Six one-page reference guides the pros actually use. Pin them above your desk. Print them. Tattoo them. (Please don't tattoo them.)
1 FREE · 5 ON TEACHABLEFirst guide is free — drop your email. The rest come with your Teachable bundle.
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FREERoom Acoustics
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PREMIUMGain Structure
Input levelPeaks at −12 to −6 dBFS (leave headroom)
Set onceAdjust gain at the source, not the fader
FadersFor balance, not for adding gain
24-bit mythNo need to record hot — quiet + clean is fine
ClippingIf plugins distort, your input is too hot
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PREMIUMLive Sound Check
Build orderDrums → bass → guitars → vocals (foundation first)
Ring out monitorsBefore the band arrives — notch feedback freqs
Vocal levelSit 3–6 dB above the mix
Walk the roomListen from the audience, not just FOH
The one sentence'That sounds great, let's move on'
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PREMIUMMixing Fundamentals
Mud~250 Hz — cut to clean
Boxiness~400 Hz — cut
Presence~3–5 kHz — boost to cut through
Air~10–12 kHz — boost for sheen
RuleCut before you boost · reference on 3 systems
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PREMIUMGuitar Setup
Intonation testTune open → compare 12th-fret harmonic vs fretted
Fretted sharpMove saddle back (away from nut)
Fretted flatMove saddle forward (toward nut)
OrderTruss rod relief → action → nut → intonation
Chord checkOpen in tune but chords sour? It's intonation
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PREMIUMMic Placement
DynamicClose + loud sources + untreated rooms
CondenserDetail + treated rooms, 6–8 in away
Cardioid nullRejection at 180° — aim null at the noise
3:1 ruleSecond mic ≥3× the distance of the first
VocalsPop filter, always. Slightly above, angled down
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The Complete Cheat Sheet Bundle
120+ STUDENTS ALREADY USE THESE
[WHAT’S INCLUDED — VALUE STACK]
- Room Acoustics cheat sheet$12
- Gain Structure cheat sheet$12
- Live Sound Check cheat sheet$12
- Mixing Fundamentals cheat sheet$12
- Guitar Setup cheat sheet$12
- Mic Placement cheat sheet$12
- Bonus: clean printable PDFs (pin above your desk)$15
- Bonus: lifetime updates as Bob adds sheets$10
Total value$97
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[DOWNLOADABLE] STUDENT CHEAT GUIDES
Sound Engineering Basics & Studio Tips
One-page PDF cheat sheets on the fundamentals every engineer needs. The first is free — drop your email to grab it. The rest come with your Teachable bundle.
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FREESignal Flow
Sound's path from source to speakers — know it cold.
SourceMic, instrument, or DI box
PreampSets input gain — boost once here
ConverterA/D at the interface — 24-bit / 48 kHz
DAWTrack → plugins → fader → bus
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PREMIUMEQ Frequency Guide
Where every sound lives and dies.
20–60 HzSub bass — felt more than heard
60–250 HzBass + mud — cut ~200 Hz to clean
250–500 HzBoxiness — cut ~400 Hz
500 Hz–2 kHzBody + nasality
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PREMIUMCompression Basics
Control dynamics without killing the vibe.
Ratio2:1 gentle · 4:1 firm · 8:1+ limiting
ThresholdLower = more gain reduction
AttackFast tames transients · slow keeps punch
ReleaseFast = loud but choppy · slow = smooth
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PREMIUMGain Staging
Keep your signal healthy end to end.
Input peaks−12 to −6 dBFS — leave headroom
Set onceAdjust gain at the source, not the fader
FadersFor balance, not for adding gain
24-bitNo need to record hot — quiet + clean
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PREMIUMMonitor Placement
Hear the truth, not the room.
TriangleSpeaker↔speaker = speaker↔ear
HeightTweeters at ear level
DistancePull ≥1 ft from the front wall
ReflectionsTreat first reflection points (mirror trick)
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PREMIUMRoom Treatment Tips
Fix the room before you blame the gear.
BassThick traps in corners — not foam
First reflectionsAbsorb at mirror points on side walls
CloudCeiling absorption above the listening spot
Rear wallDiffusion or absorption
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PREMIUMVocal Recording Checklist
Capture the take, not the room.
MicLarge-diaphragm condenser, 6–8 in away
AngleSlightly off-axis, pointed at the mouth
Pop filterAlways — 2 in from the mic
GainPeaks at −12 dBFS, no clipping
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PREMIUMSignal Chain & Cables
The boring stuff that ruins mixes.
OrderSource → preamp → converter → DAW
BalancedXLR / TRS for long runs — rejects noise
UnbalancedTS / RCA — keep under 15 ft
Gain matchEach stage passes clean signal forward